Do all types of material are attracted to a magnet? In this experiment, we will find out which material is attracted and which is not.
Things Required:
Magnet coins: penny, nickel, quarter, dime
Iron nail
Paper clip
Aluminium foil, small coin-sized piece
Pencil paper
Directions:
Touch the magnet to every object. The pencil has several parts: eraser, metal band, wood and pencil point. Be sure to test all parts. Make a list of the items that are attracted to the magnet.
This Is What Happens:
The nail and paper clip are the only items attracted to the magnet.
Science Behind It:
Most materials are not attracted to a magnet. Those that are can become magnetized themselves. Magnetic materials contain magnetic domains, clusters of atoms that behave like tiny magnets. When the domains are randomly arranged, the material is not magnetic, but if the domains are all lined up, the material has magnetic properties. The steel paper clip and iron nail contain magnetic domains that were in random order before being touched by the magnet. The magnetic force of the magnet pulled on the magnetic domains in the nail and paper clip, causing them to point towards the magnet. The lining up of the domains magnetized the materials. The magnet and the now-magnetized paper clip and nail are attracted to one another.
